Sunscreen in winter
Maarten Sierens
Maarten Sierens 
Don't be stingy with your skin care in winter
Cooler weather and less sunshine doesn't mean you have to neglect your skin care routine, says Maarten, owner at Santos Hair & Skin Clinic.
You still need to stay safe by being sun (UV) aware during the winter months, plus see my top tips below for getting beautiful winter skin.
Smart in the winter sun
Did you know that winter sun can still age the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer?
To get technical: it is the UVA rays that can cause fine lines, wrinkles and age spots on the skin and hands. The well-known sun allergy is also caused by UVA rays. While UVB rays are responsible for burning your skin. Both UVA and UVB rays can cause skin cancer.
Remember:
UV A = aging (A= Aging & Allergies )
UV B = burning (B= Burning )
Stay safe in the sun
You might think that if you spend more time indoors in the winter and the sky is grey, UV rays are not a problem. But while UVB rays are largely blocked by glass, UVA rays are not. And UVA rays do not weaken in the winter and are not blocked by winter conditions such as cloud cover or fog!
So, if you're working by the window, in the car, walking the dog, jogging, or hitting the shops during lunch, don't forget that SPF30 sunscreen.
Maarten says: “I use at least SPF 30 every day of the year as the last step in my morning skincare routine (as a woman, you do it right before your makeup).
I like RainPharma’s Natural Daylight Defence SPF30 & Nuori’s Mineral Defence Sunscreen SPF30 because it’s lightweight and non-greasy. I also keep the small Natural Daylight Defence SPF30 in my backpack and on my desk because you can quickly apply it for quick protection.”
"And if you're planning a ski holiday this winter, remember that harmful rays of the sun can penetrate more easily at higher altitudes where the atmosphere is thinner," Maarten advises. "Fresh snow also reflects the rays (increasing their strength by up to 85%) and this can even be dangerous when there's no sun."
Use your SPF the right way
While some skincare and makeup products contain sunscreen, I don’t recommend it as your only form of protection. We don’t apply these products in a thick or even enough layer to provide the level of protection needed. Let alone reapply them sufficiently.
Use a high factor sunscreen (SPF 30) and don’t neglect areas that are often forgotten, such as the tops of your ears, hands and neck. These are often the first places where the signs of premature ageing become visible.
Always apply sunscreen about half an hour before going outside, as this gives it a chance to start working (our natural sunscreens from RainPharma and Nuori are mineral filters and work instantly). And don’t forget to reapply regularly to ensure you stay protected all day long. Even in winter.
When in doubt, check it out…
Skin cancer doesn't just appear in the summer, so make it a habit to monitor your skin (from head to toe) all year round.
If you notice anything unusual, such as something new, or a spot or mole that changes shape or color, or bleeds or has a crust, always have it checked out by your dermatologist to make sure it is not a sign of skin cancer.
If you don't know who to go to, I can always recommend a good dermatologist.
Give your skin a wonderful time in winter...
Gentle cleansing, hydration and conditioning are essential to maintaining a beautiful winter glow and ensuring your skin is ready for spring when warmer weather returns.
Skin can look duller in winter and will benefit from a professional facial every few weeks - browse our treatments here or ask Maarten to recommend the right one for your skin.
Lips and hands can be dry and chapped during the colder weather and need some extra TLC. "Keep RainPharma Exceptional Hand & Nail Cream in your handbag to keep you hydrated on the go, or treat your hands to our super nourishing and restorative Intensive Recovery Wax from RainPharma."
Cooler weather and less sunshine doesn't mean you have to neglect your skin care routine, says Maarten, owner at Santos Hair & Skin Clinic.
You still need to stay safe by being sun (UV) aware during the winter months, plus see my top tips below for getting beautiful winter skin.
Smart in the winter sun
Did you know that winter sun can still age the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer?
To get technical: it is the UVA rays that can cause fine lines, wrinkles and age spots on the skin and hands. The well-known sun allergy is also caused by UVA rays. While UVB rays are responsible for burning your skin. Both UVA and UVB rays can cause skin cancer.
Remember:
UV A = aging (A= Aging & Allergies )
UV B = burning (B= Burning )
Stay safe in the sun
You might think that if you spend more time indoors in the winter and the sky is grey, UV rays are not a problem. But while UVB rays are largely blocked by glass, UVA rays are not. And UVA rays do not weaken in the winter and are not blocked by winter conditions such as cloud cover or fog!
So, if you're working by the window, in the car, walking the dog, jogging, or hitting the shops during lunch, don't forget that SPF30 sunscreen.
Maarten says: “I use at least SPF 30 every day of the year as the last step in my morning skincare routine (as a woman, you do it right before your makeup).
I like RainPharma’s Natural Daylight Defence SPF30 & Nuori’s Mineral Defence Sunscreen SPF30 because it’s lightweight and non-greasy. I also keep the small Natural Daylight Defence SPF30 in my backpack and on my desk because you can quickly apply it for quick protection.”
"And if you're planning a ski holiday this winter, remember that harmful rays of the sun can penetrate more easily at higher altitudes where the atmosphere is thinner," Maarten advises. "Fresh snow also reflects the rays (increasing their strength by up to 85%) and this can even be dangerous when there's no sun."
Use your SPF the right way
While some skincare and makeup products contain sunscreen, I don’t recommend it as your only form of protection. We don’t apply these products in a thick or even enough layer to provide the level of protection needed. Let alone reapply them sufficiently.
Use a high factor sunscreen (SPF 30) and don’t neglect areas that are often forgotten, such as the tops of your ears, hands and neck. These are often the first places where the signs of premature ageing become visible.
Always apply sunscreen about half an hour before going outside, as this gives it a chance to start working (our natural sunscreens from RainPharma and Nuori are mineral filters and work instantly). And don’t forget to reapply regularly to ensure you stay protected all day long. Even in winter.
When in doubt, check it out…
Skin cancer doesn't just appear in the summer, so make it a habit to monitor your skin (from head to toe) all year round.
If you notice anything unusual, such as something new, or a spot or mole that changes shape or color, or bleeds or has a crust, always have it checked out by your dermatologist to make sure it is not a sign of skin cancer.
If you don't know who to go to, I can always recommend a good dermatologist.
Give your skin a wonderful time in winter...
Gentle cleansing, hydration and conditioning are essential to maintaining a beautiful winter glow and ensuring your skin is ready for spring when warmer weather returns.
Skin can look duller in winter and will benefit from a professional facial every few weeks - browse our treatments here or ask Maarten to recommend the right one for your skin.
Lips and hands can be dry and chapped during the colder weather and need some extra TLC. "Keep RainPharma Exceptional Hand & Nail Cream in your handbag to keep you hydrated on the go, or treat your hands to our super nourishing and restorative Intensive Recovery Wax from RainPharma."
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